State 19 Colleges 13 Public 4 Community

Colleges in South Dakota

Ranked, compared, and filtered by real data: costs, outcomes, and admissions

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About South Dakota

The University of South Dakota and South Dakota State serve a state where nursing, agriculture, and education are among the most critical workforce needs, and both campuses have built their curricula around those realities rather than chasing trends.

South Dakota is also one of the few states where tribal colleges are a meaningful part of the higher education landscape. Oglala Lakota College and Sinte Gleska University serve reservation communities where access to any form of post-secondary education has historically been limited.

By Ownership

Public

Nonprofit

For-Profit

By Type

4-Year

2-Year

Why Study in South Dakota?

PROS

Most affordable in-state tuition Among the most affordable states in the country for in-state tuition at public universities.
Board of Regents scholarships South Dakota Board of Regents scholarship programs reduce cost for qualifying students.
Low cost of living Cost of living across the state stretches student and graduate budgets further than most other states.
Tribal college network Tribal colleges serve reservation communities with credentials that integrate Indigenous knowledge systems.

CONS

Very limited job market South Dakota's small population creates very limited career markets outside agriculture, healthcare, and government.
Harsh winters Winters are harsh and social and cultural opportunities are considerably more limited than at institutions in larger metro areas.
Brain drain to other cities Brain drain toward Sioux Falls and Minneapolis is common among graduates seeking professional-level careers.

How South Dakota Compares

See how South Dakota's colleges compare to the national average on the four measures most students and families weigh when deciding where to go: cost, acceptance rates, graduate earnings, and graduation rates.

Avg Net Price / yr $17,117 ↓ $704 below national National avg: $17,821/yr

Avg Acceptance Rate 82.3% ↑ 9.8% above national National avg: 72.5%

Median Earnings (10yr) $46,426 ↓ $1,763 below national National avg: $48,189

Avg Graduation Rate 44.0% ↓ 1.8% below national National avg: 45.8%

Acceptance Rate Trend (2019–2023) Rising ↑ 2.7 pts since 2019

Top Colleges in South Dakota

The colleges in South Dakota that rank highest by UCD Score, and those that deliver above-national graduate earnings at a below-average net price, two of the strongest signals when choosing a school.

Highest UCD Score

Mitchell Strong

Mitchell Technical College

$13,460 Net price $50,743 Earnings 10yr

Kyle Strong

Oglala Lakota College

$1,895 Net price $22,517 Earnings 10yr

Sisseton Strong

Sisseton Wahpeton College

$2,977 Net price $31,546 Earnings 10yr

Rapid City Strong

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

$20,183 Net price $72,257 Earnings 10yr

Watertown Strong

Lake Area Technical College

$15,979 Net price $45,473 Earnings 10yr

Sioux Falls Good

Augustana University

$23,894 Net price $59,217 Earnings 10yr

Best Value Colleges

Rapid City 3.2× ROI

Western Dakota Technical College

$12,670 Net price $40,240 Earnings 10yr

Aberdeen 3.0× ROI

Northern State University

$15,812 Net price $47,618 Earnings 10yr

Spearfish 2.9× ROI

Black Hills State University

$15,911 Net price $46,674 Earnings 10yr

Mission 1.6× ROI

Sinte Gleska University

$12,768 Net price $20,948 Earnings 10yr

Browse All Colleges in South Dakota →

Best Colleges by Goal

Not every student is looking for the same thing. These six panels rank South Dakota's colleges by the data that matters most for each path.

1
University of South Dakota Vermillion
$51,926
2
South Dakota State University Brookings
$55,070
3
Southeast Technical College Sioux Falls
$46,709

1
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Rapid City
$72,257
2
South Dakota State University Brookings
$55,070
3
University of South Dakota Vermillion
$51,926

1
University of South Dakota Vermillion
$51,926
2
National American University-Rapid City Rapid City
$37,325
3
Augustana University Sioux Falls
$59,217

1
Oglala Lakota College Kyle
$1,895
2
Sisseton Wahpeton College Sisseton
$2,977
3
Western Dakota Technical College Rapid City
$12,670

1
Southeast Technical College Sioux Falls
$17,400
2
Lake Area Technical College Watertown
$15,979
3
Mitchell Technical College Mitchell
$13,460

1
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Rapid City
$72,257
2
Augustana University Sioux Falls
$59,217
3
South Dakota State University Brookings
$55,070

Career Outcomes & ROI

Which colleges give you the most for what you spend? These eight schools rank highest in South Dakota by the ratio of 10-year graduate earnings to annual net price.

#	College	Net Price / yr	Earnings (10yr)	Ratio	Rating
1	Oglala Lakota College Kyle	$1,895	$22,517	11.9×	Excellent
2	Sisseton Wahpeton College Sisseton	$2,977	$31,546	10.6×	Excellent
3	Mitchell Technical College Mitchell	$13,460	$50,743	3.8×	Strong
4	South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Rapid City	$20,183	$72,257	3.6×	Strong
5	Western Dakota Technical College Rapid City	$12,670	$40,240	3.2×	Strong
6	Northern State University Aberdeen	$15,812	$47,618	3.0×	Strong
7	Black Hills State University Spearfish	$15,911	$46,674	2.9×	Good
8	Lake Area Technical College Watertown	$15,979	$45,473	2.9×	Good

ROI Ratio = median earnings 10 years after enrollment ÷ annual net price. Higher is better.

Popular Majors in South Dakota

The six fields of study with the most annual graduates across all colleges in South Dakota, based on IPEDS completion data.

HEALTH +9.0% Avg Growth · BLS

Health

3,924 Colleges 26 Specializations

BUSINESS +4.7% Avg Growth · BLS

Business

3,021 Colleges 22 Specializations

STEM +10.0% Avg Growth · BLS

Computer Science

2,632 Colleges 11 Specializations

STEM +4.0% Avg Growth · BLS

Engineering

1,297 Colleges 41 Specializations

TRADES +3.9% Avg Growth · BLS

Agriculture

986 Colleges 19 Specializations

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Top Programs in South Dakota

The specific degree programs producing the most graduates across South Dakota's colleges. A more granular view than the Popular Majors above, useful when you already know roughly what you want to study and want to see where the volume is.

Program Colleges Grads/yr Earnings · 4yr

Nursing 11.0 888.0 $88,910

Business Administration 15.0 776.0 $68,257

Teacher Education (K-12) 11.0 423.0 $47,382

Biology 9.0 338.0 $57,214

Kinesiology 9.0 307.0 $54,562

Psychology 8.0 305.0 $50,706

Liberal Arts 11.0 280.0 $53,072

Practical Nursing 5.0 279.0 $39,305

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Colleges by City in South Dakota

The cities in South Dakota with the most colleges, ranked by number of institutions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many colleges are in South Dakota?

South Dakota has 19 accredited colleges and universities: 13 public, 5 private nonprofit, 1 for-profit. Of those, 4 are two-year community or technical colleges.

What does it actually cost to go to college in South Dakota?

The average net price across South Dakota colleges is $17,117 per year. That's what students pay after grants and scholarships, not the sticker tuition. That's $704 below the national average of $17,821, relatively affordable compared to most states. This figure blends public and private schools together; public in-state tuition usually runs lower, while private college costs swing widely based on each school's aid policy.

How hard is it to get into college in South Dakota?

The average acceptance rate across South Dakota colleges is 82.3%. That's higher than the national average of 72.5%. Most South Dakota schools admit the majority of applicants. That's a blended average. Open-enrollment community colleges accept all applicants, while flagship universities and selective private schools admit far fewer. Difficulty varies more by program than by state.

How much do South Dakota college graduates earn?

Ten years after first enrolling, the typical graduate from a South Dakota college earns $46,426 per year. That's $1,763 below the national median of $48,189. Earnings split sharply by field. Healthcare, engineering, and technology programs sit well above this median, while graduates in education, social work, and the arts often land below it.

Is going to college in South Dakota worth it financially?

Looking at net price versus 10-year graduate earnings, South Dakota colleges produce a solid return, with graduates earning roughly2.7× the annual cost of attendance within a decade. Graduates on average recoup the annual net price more than twice over in yearly earnings. The Career Outcomes section above ranks individual schools; the spread between the best and worst-value colleges in South Dakota is wide enough that school choice matters more than the state average.

Does South Dakota have community colleges?

Yes. South Dakota has 4 two-year colleges, including community colleges, technical institutes, and workforce training schools. These institutions carry the lowest net prices in the state and serve students pursuing associate degrees, transfer credits toward a four-year degree, or workforce credentials in fields like healthcare, IT, and the trades. Starting at a community college and transferring is a common and cost-effective path in South Dakota.

What percentage of students graduate from South Dakota colleges?

On average, 44.0% of students who enroll at South Dakota colleges finish their degree within six years. That's close to the national average of 45.8%. This varies considerably by institution. Selective four-year universities graduate a much higher share than open-enrollment schools, where part-time enrollment and work commitments affect completion timelines. Always look at a specific school's six-year rate, not the state average.

Where are the best nursing programs in South Dakota?

Ranked by annual nursing and health program graduates, the top nursing schools in South Dakota are University of South Dakota, South Dakota State University and Southeast Technical College. These rankings use IPEDS completions data for CIP 51 (health professions), schools that produce the largest number of graduates per year. Availability varies by credential level; confirm whether a school offers BSN, ADN, or graduate nursing tracks before applying.

What is the cheapest college in South Dakota?

Oglala Lakota College is the most affordable college in South Dakota by net price at $1,895 per year. Net price is what students pay after grants and scholarships. The actual cost for lower-income students can be significantly less. Community colleges and public schools dominate the low-cost end, though some private colleges with strong aid programs compete on net price despite higher sticker tuitions.

What are the most popular majors at colleges in South Dakota?

The most-completed fields of study across South Dakota colleges are Health, Business, Education and Computer Science, based on IPEDS degree completion records. High completion numbers reflect both student demand and how many schools offer the program. Larger public universities drive a lot of the volume. If you're choosing a major based on earnings potential, look at the career outcomes for each field rather than how many students study it.

South Dakota at a Glance

Total Colleges: 19
Avg UCD Score: 62.1
Avg Net Price / yr: $17,117
Avg Acceptance Rate: 82.3%
Median Earnings (10yr): $46,426

Browse All Colleges

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Colleges in South Dakota

About South Dakota

Why Study in South Dakota?

How South Dakota Compares